Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Pontiac G6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that a friend had alerted him that his brake lights remained illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the brake lights would go out upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact then placed some dielectric grease on the brake wiring harness which repaired the brake light connection. The contact also stated that the front driver's side headlight also failed to operate without warning. The contact applied dielectric grease to the wiring harness however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The contact had spoken with the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. …
Well, we purchased a 2009 Pontiac G6 in November of 2021. We have been having problems with our light staying on, we were pull over a couple nights ago due to our lights not working. Also, our G6 pulls to the right and tweeters are the only speakers that work. Sometimes the driver door speaker will come on but that's in a blue moon. My step dad looked at my lights and noticed our wires were burnt and so was the connection piece. My fianc informed me the other day that when he was fueling up, that he had to turn the car off because he heard a weird noise coming from the inside of the gas tank. Also, when we purchased the vehicle the battery was put in wrong and rubbing up against our hood [redacted] near caught our car on fire. Sometimes the car with slowing idle and won't go until I have to put my foot all the way down to the floor. …
I have had this car since 2018 and the exterior lighting has been giving me trouble ever since I first got the car. The biggest problem is my headlights. They were first going out every 2-3 months so I kept replacing the bulb. Now it is much worst. I have had various mechanics, family, and friends maintenance the car over the past 5 years. We have tried replacing bulbs and wires but nothing works. The lights go out very quickly. Sometimes both lights will work or only one light will work. I try to smack the headlights for it to come on and sometimes that works. They go in and out when I am driving. Right now, neither of the lights are working and it is becoming dangerous because I have to drive at night and people on the road can have a hard time seeing me because my car is black. I have a traffic citation for this back in December 2018.
Please reference G.M. Bulletin 14116B or NHTSA recall on this vehicle for a defective Steering Torque Sensor. According to G.M., my car/VIN is not affected by this issue. The fact is it also has the defective Torque Sensor and it has disabled my power steering every winter since new on a cold day. I took it to the dealer when it was still under warranty in 2010, but the problem was not identified at that time so they didn't replace anything. I recently contacted G.M. to allow them to make this right. They told me to take it to a local dealer and have it properly diagnosed and then they could help me. I took it to a G.M. dealer, paid the $150 diagnosis fee. The dealer confirmed it was a defective Torque Sensor. Now G.M. won't call me back and left me hanging. They obviously know this Recall needs to be expanded. Please investigate.
I purchased a used 2009 Pontiac G6 for my son less than 7 days ago (3 ). While driving on the highway attempting to exit the ramp, the steering wheel began to get very hard to turn. We nearly crashed! Just yesterday placed the car in park. Although the shifter showed it was in P for park as well as on the dash, the car began consistently moving in reverse. This vehicle is a safety hazard for my child and due to it being a used vehicle Im not protected by a warranty. The 2009 Pontiac G6 recall list states that these issues are known, yet his VIN was not listed I believe it should've been. We need contacted ASAP.
I have had two incidents when powering steering failed. Luckily I wasn't going fast both times. Problem resolved after restarting car. I took to mechanic and was given a recall number and told to contact the dealership. I made appointment and was told that recall had expired. Apparently this has been an issue with this car for many years but dealership isn't always acknowledging it. The recall was issued before I bought the car therefore I didn't know any info or I wouldn't have purchased it. Since this has been an issue for many years, I feel that the dealership should always repair.
The power steering mechanism stopped working, therefore I cannot turn the wheel. The gear shifter/drive train stopped working, therefore I cannot go into reverse, I am stuck in 3rd gear. It is unsafe because when I go to turn I cannot turn the wheel at times. I have issues braking. All of these issues are recalls on the vehicle. GM states that the recalls were performed seven years ago in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I have no way to verify that information nor any assurances that the parts used weren't faulty. I request new repairs under the recall warnings.
My brake lights are malfunctioning. It has not worked correctly in years. When you press on the brake, the brake lights turn itself off. When not pressing on the brake, my brake lights are on. I reached out to the GM dealership and I told them that the recall was fixed, but the issue is ongoing and poses extreme safety issues. I have gotten pulled over for this. No lights are on my dashboard. I have owned the car since the beginning of COVID and the issue has happened since.
Power steering goes out when it wants to, will go back on if you turn the car on and off , my safety for me and my daughter was at risk I couldn't stop to turn it on and off because I wasn't at a red light , it has not been inspected but it seems like the problem is we'll known ,theirs a warning message that will pop up on the radio that you can't hear go on or see until it's to late
The Body Control Module (BCM) Part number 20943341 malfunctioned. Tried to replace the part at the dealership and was told that the part is no longer being manufactured. Eventually found a new part on eBay and was told by the dealership that they could not re-program the BCM computer. The car is undriveable.
Electrical complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 178 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Pontiac G6, 25% of the model year's 713 complaints. The component named most often is horn (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Pontiac G6 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2009 Pontiac G6, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Pontiac G6 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.